The list of “Best Small and Medium Workplaces” is put together annually by research and consulting firm Great Place To Work Institute and published by Fortune magazine. The list is determined by employee surveys from the companies that apply to participate in the selection process.

Dixon Schwabl ranked ninth out of 25 firms on the list of best small workplaces, which features companies that have 50 to 250 employees. At No. 18 in the small workplaces category, it is the first time Sage Rutty received the honor.

ESL Federal Credit Union ranked No. 14 in the medium workplaces category, for firms with 250 to 999 employees. It was its fourth time on the list.

“We are humbled to celebrate this great honor with our team and with the Rochester community for the ninth consecutive year,” Dixon Schwabl CEO Lauren Dixon said in a statement. “Our company is about creating an environment that embodies employee empowerment, respect, mutual trust and an innovative culture, and we take great pride in the talented people who work at Dixon Schwabl. We are excited to help reinforce our community’s standing as home to the best places to live and work in America year after year.”

The selection process includes an employee survey and an in-depth questionnaire about benefits programs and company practices. Great Place to Work evaluates each application using a unique methodology based on five dimensions: credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie.

“We are excited to celebrate this special honor with our team,” said Wayne Holly, Sage Rutty president and CEO. “Our people are the foundation of every accolade and accomplishment Sage Rutty has earned for nearly 100 years. I take great pride in our Sage Rutty family, our commitment to our employees and how it cascades down to their great dedication to our clients.”

It was the third time in four years locally owned ESL Federal Credit Union was named to the list.

“We know that we can’t deliver a superior experience for our customers without first ensuring a superior experience for our employees,” CEO David Fiedler said. “They’re the people who make ESL a great place to work–and they’re the people who put us on the list.”